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Course Description

Human Development

Through a comprehensive, theoretical classroom model, students will be introduced to neuro-typical human development throughout the life span. Students will be introduced to developmental theories of world renowned experts such as Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and BF Skinner. There will be a focus on how attachments are formed and attachment disorder.

History of Developmental Disabilities

In this course, students will examine and learn about how treatments and supports to people with developmental disabilities, throughout history, led to institutionalization, the practice of eugenics and ultimately the parent movement and community living movements.

Principles of Normalization, Integration and Inclusion

Brought to North America in the 1970’s by Wolf Wolfensberger, the concepts of Normalization, Integration, Inclusion and Social Role Valorization remain key concepts in the field of Developmental Disabilities. In this course, students will examine the root of these concepts and how they come into play in todays' society.

Values and Ethics, Confidentiality and the Community Support Professional

This course provides an introduction to working in community settings and to providing supports and services to individuals with disabilities. Students should come prepared to examine their own values and beliefs in order to gain an understanding of how their role as a professional Community Support Worker impacts the lives of people served. Students will understand the difference between values, ethics and how this effects our perceptions and decision making. Students will learn to apply an ethical decision making framework to a variety of case studies. Confidentiality and professional conduct is of paramount importance. This course will examine legal and ethical practices in the protection of personal information, what it means to be a professional community support worker; including professional and respectful workplace behavior and communication, personal and professional boundaries, teamwork and interpersonal communication.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

This course introduces students to the impact that prenatal alcohol exposure has on the developing fetus. The prevalence, demographics and symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will be covered with a focus on methods to support those with this brain based physical disability.

Students are asked to reflect on their personal beliefs around the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. They are challenged to consider how the stigma associated with prenatal alcohol consumption impacts not only the natural mothers of those with FASD but also those who live with the disability.

Syndromes and Other Causes of Developmental Disabilities

This course takes an in depth look at the more common syndromes and causes of developmental disability. Students will learn characteristics of syndromes such as Fragile X, Down syndrome, Rett Syndrome, and Angelman’s syndrome. We will examine potential health care issues and strategies for support. This course will also provide a practical overview of Sensory Integration, Sensory Processing and Sensory Dysregulation.

Understanding Challenging Behavior and Positive Behavior Supports

All behavior has meaning and communicates a need. In this course, students will learn to identify triggers to challenging behaviors and strategies to reduce or de-escalate behaviors. Students will learn strategies to control their own fears and anxieties as well as earn a variety of personal safety techniques. One of the measures of effective behavior support is the existence of strong and supportive friendships and relationships. In this course, students will learn the importance of building relationship and social networks. Students will learn strategies that will assist individuals in building personal and community networks. Students should be prepared to apply the strategies and theories learned in class to a variety of role play situations.

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion Fatigue refers to the physical and emotional erosion of compassion that takes place when workers are unable to replenish and regenerate. This short introductory course will familiarize students with the theory of compassion fatigue and provide useful strategies for self-care.

Observation, Documentation and Recording

The role of the Community Support Worker is to support people to actively participate in their home, community or at work. People who are actively involved become recognized for their abilities and strengths. Documentation that is gathered and reported in a professional, positive and objective manner supports the individual's personal growth and protects individual rights and privacy.

This course will provide students with an overview of Person Centered Planning to include goal planning, learning strategies and techniques such as error correction feedback, shaping and chaining. Students will be introduced to the SMART method of writing goals and learn the importance of objective, accurate and professional reporting practice.

Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

At least 50% of people with Developmental Disability will face a mental health concern at some time in their life. In this course, students will learn to recognize some of the more common mental illness and their treatments.

Through a combination of classroom theory and hands-on practical experience students will learn the proper use of overhead lifts, tub lifts and slings. Students will learn to assist clients with mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers as well as manual lifts and transfers. Students will learn the importance of proper body mechanics when assisting with personal and mobility. Students will learn about the various resources and services available in the community, the role each service plays in the support of adults with developmental disabilities and the support workers responsibilities when engaging with such services.

Practicum

Students will gain hands on practical experience during 5 weeks, or minimum 100 hours, supervised practicum in a group home or day program setting.

Sessions: Community Support Worker program offers two sessions per year; September and March

Registration: Registrations will be accepted up to one-week prior to start date. To register, application forms can be submitted on line or downloaded, filled out and returned to Michelle Albrecht at 1153 Greenwood Street, Campbell River BC V9W 3C5